AD.C. United attack desperate for a shot of adrenaline could soon get some welcome reinforcements.
Coach Ben Olsen told reporters on a video conference call Tuesday that Yody Reyna, who arrived from Vancouver for $400K in General Allocation Money last week, trained fully with D.C. United on Tuesday, but won’t be available for selection against Nashville SC tonight (8:30 pm ET | TV & streaming) at Nissan Stadium.
“Hopefully he’ll be able to be involved in the game on the weekend,” Olsen said of D.C. United’s match against the New England Revolution Sunday (7 pm ET | TV & streaming).
Olsen lauded Reyna for his ability to play multiple positions, but think he’s best suited for D.C. as a false nine.
“He’s very complete,” Olsen said. “He can dictate the game, he’s got good tempo, technically he’s sound. He can wiggle out of things with his athleticism. He’s fast and willing to run in behind, he can provide and he can score goals so we really like his skillset. If we push him out wide he’s also a guy who has 1-v-1 ability.”
As for Flores, who had plastic surgery to repair multiple facial fractures after a head-to-head collision in a game against the Revolution August 25, Olsen said the Peruvian attacker has slowly started to get integrated back into the squad.
“Edison, over the last few days, has been around Audi Field with us, which is another bright spot just to get him back in this locker room,” Olsen said. “He’s a guy the players love to see, he brings good energy to the group. [Monday and Tuesday] were his first days on the field with the team. He’s not in contact exercises, but he is in some of the passing and warmup exercises with the group and then he goes to the side and does a little more ball work and fitness.”
While Olsen didn’t mention a specific timeline to Flores’ return, he said comfortability wearing “superhero mask he’s going to have to wear to protect that bone in his orbital area,” will go a long way toward determining full inclusion in training, and then game action.
“We’ll give that eye enough time to heal and for him to feel comfortable to get back into contact,” Olsen said. "Once he gets the mask, I think he’ll get back into training very shortly.”
